Sta-Green Vs. Milorganite: My Personal Verdict On What To Feed Your Lawn

If you’ve ever stood in the fertilizer aisle at a big box store, you’ve faced the big question. In one corner, you have the bright, aggressive bags of Sta-Green, promising a golf-course lawn now. In the other, you have the iconic, old-school bag of Milorganite, whispered about on lawn forums as the “secret weapon.”

My main intent here is to cut through the noise. I’ve used both extensively, and I’m here to tell you that this isn’t a simple “which is better” debate. This is a choice between two completely different philosophies of lawn care, and the right one for you depends entirely on your goals.

Comparison Table

My Experience With Sta-Green

When I first bought my house, my lawn was a sad, patchy mess of light-green fescue and miscellaneous weeds. I wanted that deep, lush, neighborhood-envy green, and I wanted it immediately. Like most new homeowners, I went to my local Lowe’s and was instantly drawn to the Sta-Green bags. The NPK numbers were huge—something like 29-0-5. It promised “fast acting” and “quick greening,” and many bags included weed killer.¹ It felt like a perfect all-in-one solution.

I bought a bag of Sta-Green Weed & Feed, set my broadcast spreader to the recommended setting, and went to work. The application was easy. The granules were uniform and had almost no smell. I watered it in as instructed and then, I waited.

I did not have to wait long. Within four days, my lawn exploded. It turned a vibrant, almost fluorescent shade of green. It was startling. At the same time, the dandelions and clover in the yard began to twist, shrivel, and die. I felt like a lawn care genius. I had conquered my yard in a single weekend.

But then, the “crash” came. After about three weeks of this incredible, super-charged growth (which required me to mow three times a week), the color started to fade. And it faded fast. The lawn looked hungry again, almost yellow. Even worse, I had stripes. My spreader technique, as a beginner, was not perfect. In the spots where I had overlapped my passes, I had bright yellow-brown stripes of burnt, dead grass. The high-salt, synthetic nitrogen had scorched my lawn.

I learned a hard lesson: Sta-Green was like giving my lawn an energy drink. It provided a massive, immediate, and ultimately unsustainable jolt of energy. It was feeding the plant directly, but it was doing absolutely nothing for the rock-hard clay soil underneath. It was a quick fix, not a long-term solution.

Read More: Comparison Of Mother Earth Groundswell And Foxfarm Ocean Forest

Pros Of Sta-Green

• Immediate Visual Results: This is, without question, Sta-Green’s biggest selling point. If you have a party in two weeks and your lawn is yellow, a synthetic fertilizer like this is your best friend. The high-nitrogen, water-soluble formula is absorbed almost instantly by the grass blades, forcing a rapid green-up. You will see a dramatic change in 3-7 days. For sheer speed, nothing in the organic world can touch it. I can’t deny the satisfaction of seeing that immediate, visible proof that my money and time did something.
• Product Variety And Specialization: Sta-Green is not a single product; it’s a massive brand. This is a huge advantage. You can go to the store and get a product for your exact problem. They offer “Weed & Feed” (which Milorganite does not), “Crabgrass Preventer + Lawn Food,” “Winterizer,” and “Lawn Starter.” This all-in-one approach is incredibly convenient. My first application that killed the dandelions while greening the grass felt like a massive win because it saved me an entire step. You can solve multiple problems with one pass of the spreader.
• Cost-Effectiveness Per Pound Of Nitrogen: This one requires a little math, but it’s important. A bag of Milorganite has 6% nitrogen. A typical bag of Sta-Green has 29% nitrogen. While the bag price might be similar, you are getting almost five times more of the “greening” nutrient (Nitrogen) in the Sta-Green bag. If your only goal is to get the most nitrogen for your dollar, a synthetic, high-NPK fertilizer like Sta-Green is almost always the cheaper option. You are paying for the raw chemical nutrient, and not the organic, slow-release process.
• Readily Available And Easy To Understand: You can find Sta-Green at any Lowe’s in the country. It’s a “house brand,” which means it’s always in stock and often placed front-and-center. The bags are clean, the instructions are simple, and the spreader settings are clearly printed for all major brands. For a beginner who is just walking into a store and wants to grab a bag and go, it’s designed to be the path of least resistance. It’s not a “specialty” product you have to hunt down.
• Effective Weed Control: This is worth its own bullet point. Milorganite only feeds the lawn. It will make your weeds grow just as strong as your grass. The Sta-Green “Weed & Feed” options contain herbicides (like 2,4-D) that selectively kill common broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clover, and chickweed. For a new homeowner facing a lawn that is 30% weeds, this is a game-changer. It allows you to fertilize and reclaim your lawn from intruders at the same time, which is a massive time and labor saver.

Cons Of Sta-Green

• High Risk Of Lawn Burn: This is the single biggest-risk, and I learned it the hard way. The “fast-acting” nitrogen comes from chemical salts. If you over-apply, even slightly, or if your spreader drops too much in one spot when you stop or turn, those salts will pull all the moisture out of the grass blades and scorch them. This leaves you with ugly, dead, yellow-brown stripes and patches that can take weeks or even months to recover. You have to be precise. You also cannot apply it during the high heat of summer, as it will destroy your lawn. It’s a powerful tool that requires a lot of care.
• Does Not Build Soil Health: This is the most important philosophical con. Sta-Green is “feeding the plant.” It is not “feeding the soil.” The synthetic, water-soluble nitrogen bypasses the soil’s natural ecosystem. It gives the grass blade a direct shot of nutrients. This does absolutely nothing to improve the structure of your soil. It doesn’t add organic matter, it doesn’t feed the beneficial microbes, and it doesn’t help with water retention. In fact, some sources argue that the high-salt content can even harm the microbial population, leaving your soil worse off in the long run.
• Nutrient Leaching And Environmental Runoff: Because so much of the nitrogen is quick-release and water-soluble, it’s prone to leaching. If you apply it and then get a heavy, soaking rain, a significant portion of that nitrogen will simply dissolve and wash away before the grass can even use it. This is not only a complete waste of your money, but it’s also a major environmental pollutant. That nitrogen-rich runoff flows into local streams, rivers, and bays, contributing to harmful algae blooms that kill fish and damage the ecosystem.
• Creates A “Surge And Crash” Growth Cycle: This was my exact experience. The massive dose of synthetic nitrogen forces the grass into overdrive. This “surge” growth is weak, watery, and incredibly fast. It means you have to mow constantly, sometimes every 2-3 days, just to keep up. The plant is spending all of its energy on growing up, not on building strong roots. Then, as soon as that chemical food source is used up (usually in 3-4 weeks), the lawn “crashes.” It runs out of food, the growth stops, and the color fades, leaving it hungry and weak, demanding another fix.
• Poor Drought And Stress Tolerance: This is the long-term consequence of the “surge and crash” cycle. Because the fertilizer encourages fast top-growth at the expense of deep root development, your lawn becomes weak and vulnerable. The shallow root system is the first thing to die when a mid-summer drought or intense heatwave hits. The grass simply has no reserves and no ability to seek out deeper water. You’ve created a “coddled” lawn that is completely dependent on its next chemical feeding and constant watering.

My Experience With Milorganite

After my Sta-Green “surge and burn” experience, I went online, humbled. I found lawn care forums, and every “pro” and seasoned homeowner was talking about “Milo.” They used it exclusively or as the “backbone” of their program. The philosophy was completely different. They weren’t “feeding the plant”; they were “feeding the soil.”

I was deeply skeptical. I went and looked at a bag. The NPK was a measly 6-4-0. How could 6% nitrogen compete with Sta-Green’s 29%? It cost more per pound of actual nitrogen, and it had a… reputation. I bought a bag anyway.

The application was a totally different experience. As soon as I opened the bag, I understood. The smell. It’s not a chemical smell; it’s a deep, earthy, musky aroma. Some people hate it; I found it oddly reassuring. It smelled organic. The granules themselves were finer, almost dusty.

I filled my spreader and applied it. The best part? The “goof-proof” promise was true. The bag said “non-burning,” and I believed it. I put it down heavy, not worrying about overlap. I watered it in, and the earthy smell intensified for a day or two before fading.

Then I waited. And waited. A week went by. Nothing. No color pop. No explosive growth. I felt buyer’s remorse.

But then, around the end of week two and into week three, the magic started. It wasn’t the “jolt” of Sta-Green. It was a slow, deep, rich change. The color of the lawn shifted from a pale green to a dark, blue-green. It was the color of a healthy, established lawn. It looked strong.

I stuck with the Milorganite program for the rest of the season. The results were subtle but profound. My lawn never had that “surge,” but it also never had the “crash.” It just stayed consistently dark green for nearly two months. The bare patches from my Sta-Green burn slowly began to fill in. I noticed more worms in the soil. The soil itself seemed looser and darker. I was building a lawn from the ground up, not just painting it green. It was like giving my lawn a balanced diet of whole foods instead of a candy bar.

Pros Of Milorganite

• Absolutely “Non-Burning” Formula: This is Milorganite’s superpower and why it’s so beloved by beginners and pros alike. You cannot burn your lawn with it. Period. It contains virtually no salts. You can be sloppy with your spreader, you can spill a pile of it in one spot, you can apply it in the 90-degree heat of July—and it will not scorch your grass. This removes all the anxiety from fertilizing. For me, this was the feature that allowed me to apply it with confidence and fix the burn stripes my Sta-Green application had created. It is the definition of “goof-proof.”
• Feeds The Soil And Builds Organic Matter: This is the core of the Milorganite philosophy. You are not feeding the plant; you are feeding the soil. Milorganite is made of 85% organic matter (heat-dried microbes).⁸ This organic matter is food for the billions of beneficial microbes and fungi in your soil. Those microbes then digest the fertilizer and, in turn, release the nutrients to the grass roots slowly and naturally.¹⁰ This process builds topsoil, improves soil aeration, and dramatically increases your soil’s ability to hold onto water, which is the key to long-term lawn health.
• Provides A Slow, Consistent Release: Unlike the 3-week “surge” from a synthetic, Milorganite is a true slow-release fertilizer. The microbes in the soil break it down over a long period, typically feeding your lawn for 8-10 weeks. This means no “surge and crash.” You get a steady, consistent supply of nutrients that results in even, healthy growth. You don’t have to mow three times a week. You just get a lawn that is strong, stable, and healthy. The release is also dependent on soil temperature—the microbes are more active when it’s warm (when the grass is growing) and dormant when it’s cold, meaning it naturally releases nutrients exactly when the lawn needs them.
• Excellent Source Of Non-Staining Iron: If you’ve ever seen a “Milo” lawn, you know the color. It’s not the fluorescent green of a synthetic; it’s a deep, rich, dark blue-green. That color is the signature of iron. Milorganite contains 2.5% iron that is “chelated” or organically bound. This means it’s easily available to the plant and it won’t stain your concrete driveway or sidewalks. Many synthetic fertilizers use iron salts that will leave permanent, ugly rust stains everywhere. Milorganite’s iron is a key part of its “secret” and gives you that premium, golf-course color without the risk.
• Vastly Improved Drought And Stress Tolerance: This is the long-term payoff. Because Milorganite promotes a strong, deep root system (rather than weak top-growth) and improves the soil’s water-holding capacity, your lawn becomes incredibly resilient. When that summer drought hits, your lawn will have the deep roots to find moisture and the healthy soil to retain it. It will stay green longer and will bounce back from dormancy much faster than a chemically-fed lawn. You are building a self-sufficient, tough-as-nails lawn that can defend itself.

Cons Of Milorganite

• The Smell: Let’s not beat around the bush. When you open a bag of Milorganite, you will smell it. It’s made from recycled biosolids, and it has a very distinct, musky, earthy aroma. Some people (like me) get used to it and even associate it with a healthy lawn. Other people find it genuinely offensive. The smell is strongest for the first 24-48 hours after application, especially if it’s humid or you water it in. If you are very sensitive to smells, or if your patio is right next to your lawn, this is a real consideration.
• It Is Not A Quick Fix: This is the number one complaint from new users. If you are impatient, this product will test you. You will apply it, water it in, and for one to two weeks, you will see absolutely nothing. It is not an energy drink. It’s a slow-release, whole-food diet. The results are dependent on the soil microbes waking up and breaking it down. This is a massive mental hurdle for people who are used to the 3-day green-up of Sta-Green. You have to be patient and trust the process.
• Concerns Over Heavy Metals And PFAS: This is the elephant in the room. Milorganite is a “biosolid,” which is a polite term for treated sewage sludge. Because of its source, it contains trace amounts of heavy metals.¹⁸ Milorganite is heavily regulated by the EPA and tested daily, and its levels are far below the “Exceptional Quality” standards, making it perfectly safe for lawns and gardens. However, some people are (understandably) ideologically opposed to using human waste. More recently, concerns about PFAS (so-called “forever chemicals”) have arisen, as these are found in all wastewater. Milorganite’s levels are very low (often lower than what’s in your house dust), but it is a valid, ongoing concern for the entire biosolid industry.
• Adds Unnecessary Phosphorus: The NPK ratio is 6-4-0. That “4” is phosphorus (P). Phosphorus is great for root development and is essential when you are planting new seed. However, most established lawns in the United States do not need extra phosphorus. Many soils are already high in it. Adding more is not only pointless, but it’s also a serious environmental pollutant (even more so than nitrogen). Many states and counties have banned phosphorus fertilizers for this reason. You should always get a soil test. If your soil is already high in P, using Milorganite four times a year is irresponsible.
• Higher Cost Per Pound Of Nitrogen: That 6% NPK means you need a lot of product to get the recommended 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft. The math shows you need roughly 16.6 pounds of Milorganite for that area. To get the same 1 pound of N from a 29% N Sta-Green bag, you’d only need 3.4 pounds of product. You are buying and spreading a lot more product with Milorganite to get the same amount of the main nutrient. You’re paying for the organic matter, the iron, and the “non-burning” peace of mind, not for raw nitrogen.
• Does Absolutely Nothing For Weeds: Milorganite is only a fertilizer. It will feed your grass, and it will just as happily feed your dandelions, clover, and crabgrass. It has no herbicidal properties whatsoever. This means if you have a weedy lawn, using Milorganite is a two-step process: you have to apply the fertilizer and then apply a separate liquid or granular weed killer. This is a major disadvantage in convenience compared to the Sta-Green “Weed & Feed” products.

Also Read: My Thoughts On Pearl’s Premium Grass Seed 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

In the end, I’ve found a place for both in my lawn care. It’s not a war; it’s about using the right tool for the right job.

If you are a new homeowner staring at a yard of weeds and pale grass, and you need a fast, visible, all-in-one fix, Sta-Green Weed & Feed is your “shock and awe” campaign. It’s the energy drink. It’s the quick win that will clear out the weeds and give you that immediate green-up.

But if you want a lawn that is truly healthy, that has deep roots, that can survive a drought, and that has that deep, dark, rich color all season without the “crash,” Milorganite is your long-term investment. It’s the whole-food diet. It’s the marathon.

My advice to you? Use Sta-Green once in the spring to clean up the weeds and get a fast start. Then, for the rest of the year, build your lawn’s future with Milorganite.